BIOGRAPHY
Founded by the irrepressible Idrissa Camara of Guinea, NIMBA combines virtuoso musicians and dancers from across West Africa to produce dynamic, compelling dance theatre with amazing musicianship and percussive beats that will astound you.
Breath-taking performances" Black Heritage Today UK
NIMBA features the rare talents of Fulani Flute, Bolon Bata and Balafon players from Guinea; an Ngoni player from Cote d’Ivoire, Kora from Gambia and soaring vocals. Percussion on Djembe, Doundouns, Kirin and Wassaoumba is provided by some of West Africa’s most outstanding percussionists.
let these dancers recalibrate your preconceptions.......The calibre of its accompanying musicians equals that of its dancers" Nige Tassel: WOMAD.org
NIMBA performances comprise of excerpts from a show or a full-length show.
The energy was electric and consistent. I felt in complete awe" Young Critics Wales
"ADAD's strategy of helping enthusiastic dance leaders develop their art has born fruit" Carole Edrich LONDON DANCE
We can also offer workshops in drumming, dance or music creating a fun and lively atmosphere.
"an energetic, at times highly acrobatic display of West African dance" WOMAD.org
Our mission is to share the joy of our dance and music to increase intercultural understanding and audience participation.
"They are so agile, so talented and work so flexibly with the children" Malmesbury School
The unique NIMBA experience can be booked directly for your community entertainment, local festivals and schools; delivering a tailor made performance from the “We are NIMBA” Team, a dedicated team of world-class NIMBA dancers and musicians.
I think Nimba has hit a nexus in terms of the group's development. Musically, it was sublime.." Dr. Amanda Villepastour British Ethnomusicology
DISCOGRAPHY
"electrifying set of traditional African songs infused with a 21st century twist" 5 Star Review Western Mail / Wales Online
Ballet Nimba’s music is available to listen to:
Or available to buy on iTunes:
FILMOGRAPHY
FARE-TA (LAND OF DANCE)
showed us that dance is so diverse and can be so beautiful and admirable in many different ways"
Won the "Documentary Short" Category at the Silicon Valley African Film Festival and the "Best Documentary Short" at the International Film Festival of North Hollywood
PRESS
"Alongside these stand out performances for me over the weekend (WOMAD) were Ballet Nimba's performances, including the Taste The World where they danced, sang, talked, explained how the instruments were made, and still got time to cook!!" e-festivals.co.uk WOMAD review
INTERVIEWS
"Ballet Nimba has started making ripples in the UK dance scene"SouthBank Centre Dance Blog... an interview with Idrissa Camara for full interview go to www.dance.southbankcentre.co.uk
Meriel Sparkes, ADAD south west coordinator, talks with Idrissa Camara about the process of developing new work drawing from his traditional roots, and working with dancers from outside his culture, to create an African dance for a European audience. www.adad.org.uk/balletnimba
RADIO
A portrait of dancer and choreographer Idrissa Camara.
"The audience were utterly transfixed and overcome by the whole experience - the sounds, the movement, the beauty, and the emotional intensity of the story. Everyone was so surprised by the intensity of expression of the dancers and the musicians they could barely communicate the wonder that they felt." Classical Journey Radio review of NIMBA at the HOME festival.